Six Fundraising Tools that Leverage the Power of Facebook

Did you know that Facebook recommends a few fundraising applications that empower users to make fundraising social and frictionless?

What’s great about these applications is that they leverage the power of peer-to-peer fundraising, and make fundraising transactions more frictionless. I’ve added two to the list as well (Mightycause and Artez).

1. JustGiving

JustGiving is a UK-based fundraising platform where individuals can share their charitable giving actions on Facebook. This app gives people a way to share when they make a donation, and support a friend or charity. Last year, people raised more than $40 million for charities through the justgiving app on Facebook.

2. WeTopia

WeTopia is a social game where players build villages and earning points that turn into charitable donations. Over 500,000 dollars has been raised for children’s causes since it launched in November of 2011. The app company, Sojo Studios, also created Joy Kingdom where players restore a world where shadows have taken away all the Joy.

3. FundRazr

FundRazr was originally a “Facebook-based” fundraising app that has expanded to support sharing on Twitter, blogs and email. FundRazr can be used for both individuals and organizations, and has supported over 42,000 campaigns in raising over $27 million.

4. Causes

Causes provides online tools for organizing, advocacy, and fundraising campaigns (you’ve seen the birthday asks). Not For Sale launched a campaign that raised $154,000 in two months, and funded the launch of a beverage company working to fight human slavery.

5. Friendship Powered Fundraising App

Friendship Powered Fundraising App is NOT mentioned in Facebook’s list, but it’s well worth a look. Friendship Powered Fundraising App leverages the sharing power of Facebook, but also facilitates secure donations right inside Facebook. They also have a beautiful mobile version of the app built with HTML5 (no app downloads necessary).

6. Mightycause

Mightycause––yes, Mightycause––has an awesome Facebook app that embeds a Mightycause campaign directly in a custom tab on your Facebook Page.

People Before Tools

Keep in mind that while these tools are useful, what makes online fundraising work is storytelling and planning.

Without a story that moves a potential donor, and without the integration of email, direct mail, blogging, etc., you won’t get the full effect of these applications. Sincerity beats shiny any day.

What fundraising applications have you discovered?